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Oklahoma City Thunder notebook: Thunder start dooms Memphis

Oklahoma City converted its first nine field-goal attempts; that's the best shooting start in Thunder history and the best start in the NBA this season.

By John Rohde •
Published: January 31, 2013

Oklahoma City's Kendrick Perkins (5) dunks the ball during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013.Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

‘T' TIME

Four-time All-Star and three-time scoring champ Kevin Durant got his eighth technical foul, a career high which is one off the NBA lead shared by Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin, Matt Barnes and DeMarcus Cousins.

A player is suspended for one game when he reaches 16.

Thunder reserve guard DeAndre Liggins also got a technical, his first of the season.

BLOCK-A-SHOT

OKC forward Serge Ibaka got into early foul trouble and wound up playing just 26 minutes, but still had enough time to block six shots.

The Thunder, which ranks second in the NBA in blocked shots, finished with 11 for the game as Kendrick Perkins and Hasheem Thabeet added two each and Durant had one.

QUOTABLE

Memphis coach Lionel Hollins explaining why the Grizzlies traded away five players, including leading scorer Rudy Gay: “When you have champagne taste, you can't be on a beer budget. It's a small market and I understand the economics of being in a small market. I've been with the Grizzlies for 11 years in Memphis. Rudy Gay has been a big part of our success. I've known him as a kid as a rookie coming in. He's a big part of my success as a coach here and I feel I was a big part of his success and I wish him the best as he moves forward into the second chapter of his career.”